Quimbanda is
a cult centred on the direct and head on interaction with spirit, hence
developing mediumistic skills and capability in spirit trafficking is integral
and vital to working Quimbanda. Possession is a phenomenon that intrigues and
also scares. After all we have all seen movies like The Exorcist and other horror
thrillers giving visual spectacles to how hostile spirits can take over the
human body, mind and soul in intrusive and fatal ways. But possessions do find
a counterpart in the shamanic rapture as much as in the prophet whose soul is
filled with angelic light that makes him or her prophetic. Possession is not
only about the full given over of your material vessel to a spirit that in turn
uses the faculties of the medium to engage various forms of work. Inspiration, dream
and to be ‘under the influence’ are potentially valid and worthy avenues for
connecting with spirit. Yet another avenue for good spirit trafficking is the
communion, or what Jake Stratton-Kent calls ‘…